About Life in Japan

Japanese New Year is one of the most special times to experience Japanese culture. Not only do you celebrate the New Year with family and friends, but you can also fully experience the Japanese character through a number of traditions and customs. One of the most indispensable things is "mochi". In this article, we will introduce the charm of Japanese New Year and mochi in an easy-to-understand way. Japanese New Year Traditions In Japan, January 1st is celebrated as the first day of the New Year.

Christmas in Japan is very different from Christmas in the West, and its own culture and customs have developed. Here are some Christmas features that foreigners find particularly "Japanese". 1. In the West, where religious meaning is weak, Christmas is a religious event based on Christianity, and is centered around church mass and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

It seems that it is often a little difficult for foreigners to pronounce Japanese names correctly. While some names have beautiful sounds and deep meanings, it can be hard to know how to read them or what gender they are. Because of this, it seems that they can have a hard time remembering and pronouncing names. In this article, we will introduce some names that foreigners often have trouble with!

In winter, the entire city of Osaka and Kobe is enveloped in sparkling illuminations. Here are some spots where you can experience the romantic atmosphere and beautiful scenery that are unique to this season. It's perfect for a date or an outing with friends! Nakanoshima Illumination Street The illuminated tree-lined streets along the river in Nakanoshima, the city of water, are beautiful.

One thing that almost always surprises foreigners who come to Japan is the quality of the toilets. Normally, you wouldn't be impressed by a toilet. However, in Japan, that concept is completely overturned! There are warm water flushing functions, automatic opening and closing, and even "Otohime" (sound princess) systems for privacy. In this article, we will take a look at the cutting-edge technology and comfort of Japanese toilets.

When you visit Japan, you will see vending machines wherever you go. They are installed in a variety of places, including roadsides, stations, tourist spots, and even in the mountains and on remote islands. It is said that there are more than 4 million vending machines in Japan, a number unparalleled in the world. What's more, the variety of items they sell is astonishing! Not only drinks, but also other items are sold in Japanese vending machines.

One of the first things that surprises foreigners who come to Japan is how convenient convenience stores are. Japanese convenience stores are not just places to buy food and drinks, but function as "mini supermarkets" that meet all your daily needs. What's more, they are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can use them anytime.

Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts and art events in pleasant weather. There are many performances and events that even beginners can easily participate in. In this article, we will introduce traditional performing arts and art events that you cannot miss in the fall in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners. 1. Kabuki Kabuki has a history of about 400 years.

October, the season for new rice, is a very important time to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese food culture. New rice is rice that is just harvested in the fall and shipped that same year. It has more moisture than regular rice and is characterized by its fluffy texture and sweetness. During this time, Japanese restaurants and homes offer special opportunities to taste freshly cooked new rice.

October is the season when numerous autumn festivals are held all over Japan. Autumn festivals are traditional events celebrating Japan's rich nature and culture, and are festivals that have been held since ancient times and have the characteristics of each region. For foreigners, autumn festivals are also a great opportunity to experience Japanese history and culture. At autumn festivals, you can enjoy portable shrines, Japanese drum performances, and food stalls (